Chapter 14: New Year’s Gifts

However, Xia Daohua, with her sharp eyes, clearly noticed that among those large bags and bundles, several of them were obviously luggage and bedding. Yet Eldest Aunt Liu-shi smiled warmly and loudly told the villagers that these were all gifts they had brought to show their filial respect to the elderly couple…

Xia Daohua’s impression of the main branch instantly dropped to freezing point.

The old couple either didn’t notice it, or if they did, they didn’t care. They turned a blind eye and cheerfully came out to welcome them, calling for them to hurry inside and warm up.

Second Aunt Sun-shi and Third Aunt Wu-shi both enthusiastically gathered around, grabbing Liu-shi’s hands with warm greetings and concern.

Jiang-shi (Daohua’s mother) stayed quiet, and Fifth Aunt Cheng-shi also stepped forward a few paces, smiling warmly as she greeted Dalang’s wife.

“Oh dear, Dalang’s wife, come on in! Quickly! Sit down now! That belly is so big, standing must be hard on you!”

“Ah…”

Zhu-shi (Dalang’s wife) seemed a bit overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and looked helplessly toward her mother-in-law, Liu-shi.

Liu-shi gave her a nod and let go of her hand. Only then did Zhu-shi take Cheng-shi’s offered arm for support and, wobbling slightly, slowly moved her bulky body into the house.

The men, meanwhile, all surged forward, crowding around Xia Dalang:

“Dalang, you’ve been away for so long and haven’t visited once—this time you must stay a few extra days! Come to your Third Uncle’s house and have a few drinks with me! Your Third Aunt will make meat pancakes and leek pockets for you!”

“Dalang, your Third Uncle is stingy! Come over to your Second Uncle’s house instead. I’ll have your Second Aunt fry up some quail for you!”

“Dalang, your Fifth Aunt brought back two pounds of dried rabbit meat from her mother’s house a few days ago. She and I haven’t even touched it—we saved it all for you!”

Even Xia Youtian (Fourth Uncle) chimed in with a grin, “Dalang, come visit your Fourth Uncle sometime too! Your Fourth Aunt’s tofu stew is to die for!”

Xia Daohua could tell that everyone’s enthusiasm toward Xia Dalang was genuinely heartfelt. The bright, joyful smiles on each face were all sincere.

Maybe this was the charm of being the “studious one” of the family.

Xia Dalang responded to his uncles with a graceful smile and polite demeanor, but Xia Daohua sharply noticed the pride he was trying to conceal—and a trace of impatience.

After a while of chatting and catching up, each person picked up a bundle and quickly helped the main branch move their things into the house.

The rooms belonging to the main branch had already been prepared by the old couple. The kang beds had been heated and the windows aired out well in advance. The two kangs were blazing warm by now. The moment one stepped inside, a wave of heat hit the face, and even the frost on the walls and windows had melted.

After all the greetings, the whole group gathered in high spirits and escorted the eldest son’s family to the east wing of the main house where the old couple lived.

The old couple sat cross-legged with dignity on the kang bed. Old Master Xia Ping’an kept rubbing the boxwood tobacco pipe in his hand but didn’t light it.

The eldest son’s entire family knelt down in a row before them and kowtowed in unison, saying together:

“Father (Grandpa), Mother (Grandma), you’ve worked hard! Your unfilial children (daughters-in-law / grandchildren / granddaughters-in-law) respectfully kowtow to you!”

Even the heavily pregnant Zhu-shi was no exception.

The elderly couple quickly tried to help them up:

“Oh goodness, what are you doing, what are you doing? The floor is cold! Quick, quick—get up!”

Amid the loud commotion and heartfelt tears, Xia Daohua overheard Second Aunt Sun-shi quietly lean in and whisper to Second Uncle:

“Look at your big brother—he sure knows how to put on a show! Why don’t you learn from him?”

Xia Daohua had to use a lot of effort not to burst out laughing on the spot.

After the kowtows, the eldest son’s family presented their New Year’s gifts to the old couple.

They brought two pieces of cocoon silk fabric, two boxes of pastries, a jar of liquor for the elders, and an extra piece of satin fabric for Xia Yujiao.

The cocoon silk fabric was decent, aside from the somewhat dull color. But the satin cloth given to Xia Yujiao had clearly been soaked in water, lost its original dye, and had been redyed. The dye job was uneven and obvious.

Xia Daohua thought Xia Yujiao would be angry, but to her surprise, Yujiao cheerfully thanked them and accepted it. Her smile didn’t look fake at all.

Xia Youcai (Eldest Uncle) smiled and said:

“These fabrics are all from the silk shop in town. Though the satin was a bit water-damaged, it’s not any worse than brand-new cloth. It’s at least half the price! We’re not some wealthy noble family, no need to be so particular.

Besides, slightly imperfect good fabric is still better than coarse cloth, isn’t it? All the same once you wear it.”

Zhou-shi (Grandmother) chuckled, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes deepening noticeably. It was clear that Xia Youcai’s words had struck the right chord with her:

“Our eldest is truly clever and capable—no wonder he’s made a name for himself out there.”

For the brothers, the New Year’s gifts were a bag of assorted treats and a piece of dyed cotton cloth for each family.

Eldest Brother spoke with deep brotherly affection:

“My wife and I have been in town, busy with Dalang’s studies, and haven’t been able to take care of things here. You’ve all worked hard. These gifts are just a token of our appreciation—please don’t think they’re too small.”

“Oh, Eldest Brother, don’t say that.”

“We’re all one family. No need to be so polite. Our parents aren’t just yours—they’re ours too, right? Taking care of them is part of our duty!”

“That’s right! Eldest Brother, are you treating us like outsiders now? We’re all blood brothers, came out of the same mother’s womb!”

And so the lively chatter continued.

Xia Daohua felt like she still hadn’t fully adapted to this new identity.

So while everyone else was joyfully reminiscing and warmly chatting, she felt like a cold, detached viewer watching a boring TV drama through a screen—half-interested, half-distracted.

Even though she was physically present, her soul felt miles away.

A melancholy expression, completely out of place for her young age, appeared on Xia Daohua’s small face.

Jiang-shi noticed Xia Daohua’s head bobbing up and down, looking sleepy. She quietly spoke to Grandma Zhou-shi, then whispered a few words to Xia Youtian, and carried Xia Daohua back to their room.

Lihua, Wulang, and Linghua also tiptoed after them.

Seeing that the entire fourth branch—except for Xia Youtian—had left, Xia Youcai and Liu-shi were clearly a little displeased.

“Oh my, Fourth Brother, it’s been a while since we last met. Your wife sure has gotten more temperamental!”

Xia Youtian scratched his head awkwardly and explained, a bit nervously:

“Ah, Eldest Brother, Eldest Sister-in-law, didn’t Daohua hit her head a while back?

Just now, her head was nodding off, and she looked pale, so I had Jiang-shi take her back to rest.

The kids are naturally concerned about her and followed along.”

Hearing this, Xia Youcai’s expression softened, but Liu-shi looked even more uncomfortable.

(End of Chapter)